Time switch mechanism with automatic and/or manual actuating assembly

ABSTRACT

Time switch mechanism adapted to actuate a switch either automatically by a clock mechanism at a predetermined time or manually at a desired time. The time switch mechanism has a timer cam actuated by the clock mechanism, a timer lever coupled with the timer cam so as to be actuated by the actuation of the timer cam, a switch lever coupled with the timer lever so as to be actuated by the actuation of the timer lever so that the switch is actuated by the actuation of the switch lever thereby permitting the switch to be actuated automatically by the clock mechanism through the timer cam, timer lever and the switch lever. A manually operable switching cam is provided which is engageable with the timer lever and the switch lever.

United States Patent [191 Yaginuma [451 July 22, 1975 TIME SWITCH MECHANISM WITH AUTOMATIC AND/0R MANUAL ACTUATING ASSEMBLY Jusuke Yaginuma, Koriyama, Japan [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 9, 1973 Japan 48-42526 [52] US. Cl. 200/38 R; ZOO/35 R; 200/39 R [51] Int. Cl. H0lh 43/10 [58] Field of Search 200/33 R, 33 B, 35 R, 37 R, 200/37 A, 38 R, 38 A, 38 F, 38 FA, 38 PB, 38 D, 38 DC, 39 R, 153 L, 153 LA, 153 LB,

6/1963 7/l974 Murata et al. 200/39 R X Primary ExaminerJames R. Scott Attorney, Agent, or F irmOblon, Fisher, Spivak, McClelland & Maier [57] ABSTRACT Time switch mechanism adapted to actuate a switch either automatically by a clock mechanism at a predetermined time or manually at a desired time. The time switch mechanism has a timer cam actuated by the clock mechanism, a timer lever coupled with the timer cam so as to be actuated by the actuation of the timer cam, a switch lever coupled with the timer lever so as to be actuated by the actuation of the timer lever so that the switch is actuated by the actuation of the switch lever thereby permitting the Switch to be actu- 153 T ated automatically by the clock mechanism through the timer cam, timer lever and the switch lever. A 5 References Cited manually operable switching cam is provided which is engageable the timer lever and the Switch lever.

2,937,247 5/1960 Laviana et al. 200/38 A 2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 6 4 l l2 14 I3 4b 9a 14a I I i I 9b 1 12 F c 5 9c 7b 4o 1 l 1O Frachon 200/153 T j sum -PAT ENTED J R s Fig 1 PRIOR ART Fig 2 TIME SWITCH MECHANISM WITH AUTOMATIC AND/OR MANUAL ACTUATING ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a time switch mechanism in which a switch is either automatically actuated at a predetermined time by a clock mechanism or manually actuated at a desired time disabling the automatic actuation by the clock mechanism.

I-leretofore, a time switch mechanism was well known which was adapted to be incorporated in a device such as a radio and a television and which was provided with two switches one of which was coupled with a digitally indicating clock incorporated in the device so that the switch was automatically opened or closed at a predetermined time set in the clock'so that the circuit of the device was actuated or made inoperative while the other of the switches was manually operated to open or close the circuit at a desired time by disconnecting the first mentioned switch from the circuit. In other words, the first mentioned switch is operative only by means of the clock mechanism to control the circuit and it is required to provide a further switch, when the operation of the circuit is to be controlled manually, which, when operated manually, disconnects the first mentioned switch from the circuit while it actuates the circuit manually. In such a construction, very complicated construction of the circuit is required resulting in high cost due to the complicated wiring operations while the device is liable to be damaged or subjected to false function, although the manipulation of the device in use may be simple.

In view of the above fact, the present invention aims at avoiding the above described disadvantages of the prior art time switch mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a 1 novel and useful time switch mechanism which avoids the above described disadvantages of the prior art'time switch mechanism. I I

The other object of the present invention is to provide a novel and useful time switch mechanism of the type described above which is simple in construction and accurate in operationand in which a single switch is provided, which is capable of being actuated either automatically by means of a clock mechanism at a predetermined time or manually at a desired time in which the clock mechanism is disconnected from the time switch mechanism.

The above objects are achieved in accordance with the characteristic feature of the present invention by the provision of a time switch mechanism comprising a timer cam actuated by said clock mechanism at a manually set, predetermined time, a timer lever coupled with said timer cam so as to be actuated by the actuation of said timer cam, a switch lever coupled with said timer lever and said switch for actuating said switch by the actuation of said timer lever, and a manu ally operable switching cam engageable with said timer lever as well as said switch lever by the operation thereof, said switching cam being sov configured that,

ated by said clock mechanism through said switch lever and, when moved to its second position, it engages and arrests said timer lever so as to prevent the same from being actuated by said timer cam thereby disabling the automatic actuation of said switch by said clock mechanism, while, when moved to its third position, it engages both said timer lever and said switch leve'r thereby preventing said timer lever from being actuated by said timer cam for disabling the automatic actuation of saidswitch by said clock mechanism while it permits said switch to be actuated manually by the actuation of said switch lever to said third position.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the timer cam comprises a disc rotated at a predetermined speed and mounted axially shiftably, and the disc has an axially projecting cam section which resiliently abuts against a manually rotatably but axially non-shiftable time setting dial coaxially mounted with the timer cam by the action of a first spring. The dial has'a recess formed in a surface thereof facing against the cam section so as to receive the same therein when they are brought into registered relationship with each other during the rotation of the timer cam thereby permitting the timer cam to be axially shifted by the action of the first spring at a predetermined time manually setby the time setting dial. The timer lever has a first and a second portion, and the first portion is adapted to resiliently abut against the timer camby a second spring so that, when the timer cam is axially shifted, the timer lever is actuated by the second spring. The switch lever is urged to a predetermined position with respect to the timer lever by a third spring so as to be urged against the switch, so that, when the timer lever is actuated, the switch lever is disengaged from the switch thereby actuating the same. The manu ally operable switching cam has a first and a second portion, and the first portion is brought into abutting relationship against the second portion of the timer lever when the same is in its second and third positions so that the timer lever is arrested irrespective of the actuation of the timer cam so as to maintain the switch lever urged against the switch while the second portion of the manually operable switching cam is brought into abutting relationship against the switch lever against the action of the third spring when the switching cam is in its third position thereby urging the switch lever apart from the switch thereby permitting the same to be actuated manually.

Thus, the time switch mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention can be operable both in the automatic mode controlled by the clock mechanism and in the manual mode, while the construction of the time switch mechanism is made simple by the provision of only a single switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the circuit of a prior art time switch mechanism in which two separate switches are provided;

FIG. 2 is a diagram similar to FIG. 1 but showing an embodiment of the circuit of the time switch mechanism of the present invention in which only a single switch is provided; 7

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the main parts of the embodiment of the present invention in which the switch is kept opened during the automatic mode of operation;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the time switch mechanism of FIG. 3 as viewed from the bottom side of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the switch in closed position during the automatic mode of operation;

FIG. 6 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the switch in opened position during the manual mode of operation;

FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the switch in closed position during the manual mode of operation; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the configuration of the manually operable switching cam of the present invention.

EMBODIMENT Prior to the description of the present invention, an example of the prior art time switch mechanism will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the circuit comprises a timing switch T operated by a clock mechanism (not shown) as well as a manually operable switch having a movable contact S and stationary contacts 0, C and A connected as shown to a load Z such as a radio and a television and an electric source E for suppyling electric energy to the load Z. When the movable contact S is connected to the contact A, the timing switch T, is connected to the circuit so that the load Z is controlled by the switch T in the automatic mode of operation so that the load Z is automatically energized or deenergized at a predetermined time by the operation of the timing switch T When the movable contact S is manually operated so as to be disconnected from the contact A and connected to the contact 0, then the load Z is manually deenergize d while, when the movable contact S is manually switched to be connected to the contact C, then the timing switch T, is made inoperative and, instead, the load Z is manually energized in the manual mode of op eration. Thus, the time switch mechanism requires two switches, one of which is the timing switch T, and the other is the manual switch comprising contacts S, A, O and C in order to permit the time switch mechanism to be. operable in both the automatic and manual modes of operation, thereby making the circuit complicated.

To the contrary, the time switch mechanism of the present invention is provided with only a single switch T in series with the load Z and the electric source E as shown in FIG. 2 in order to permit the load Z to be energized or deenergized in both the automatic and manual modes of operation as shown in FIG. 2 thereby making the circuit very simple.

Now the construction of the time switch mechanism of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 38.

Referring to the drawings, the time switch mechanism of the present invention comprises a microswitch l secured to a base plate 3 with an electrically insulating distance piece 2 interposed therebetween. The switch 1 corresponds to the switch T in FIG. 2 and the switch 1 is so operated that it is opened when the actuator la of the switch 1 is depressed so as to deenergize the load while the switch 1 is closed when the actuator 1a is released so as to energize the load. A timer lever 4 is pivotally mounted on the base plate 3 by a pivot shaft 5 and urged by a spring 6 in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 4. The timer lever 4 has two arms 4a and 4b and a bent lug 4c. The tip of the arm 4b resiliently abuts against a timer cam 11 having a projecting cam section 11a at its peripheral portion by the action of the spring 6. The timer cam 11 is mounted on a shaft 13 which is rotated by a clock mechanism (not shown) in the direction indicated by the arrow at a predetermined speed, i.e., one revolution per 24 hours in the embodiment shown. The timer cam 11 and the shaft 13 are axially shiftable and normally urged toward the right as viewed in the drawings by a compression spring 12 around the shaft 13 and interposed between the timer cam 11 and a stationary portion of the device.

A manually operable time setting dial 14 having a time scale 14b on its periphery cooperating with a stationary index 16 is arranged in opposing relationship to the timer cam 11 in coaxial relationship therewith. The dial 14 is manually rotatable only in the direction indicated by the arrow together with a shaft 15 secured thereto which is connected to a knob (not shown) adapted to be manually rotated so as to set the desired time for operation. The dial 14 is prevented from shifting in the axial direction and provided on its surface facing against the cam section 1 1a of the timing cam 11 with a recess 14a which is adapted to receive the cam section 11a therein when they brought into registered relationship with each other during the rotation of the timer cam 11 so that the timer cam 11 is axially shifted to the right as seen in the drawings by the action of the spring 12 at a predetermined time set by the dial 14.

The arm 4b of the timer lever 4 abuts against the timer cam 11 as shown by the action of the spring 6, so that, when the timer cam 11 is shifted to the right as described above, the timer lever 4 is swung in the clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 4.

In order to actuate the switch 1, a generally T-shaped switch lever 7 is provided which is swingably mounted about the pivot shaft 5' at the free end of its stem portion and has bent lugs 7a and 7b at the opposite ends of the arms of the T-shape, the bent lug 7b being adapted to releasably depress the actuator la of the switch 1, the operation of the bent lug 7a being described later. A spring 8 is secured at its one end to the intermediate portion of the stem of the T-shape of the lever 7 and its other end to the bent lug 4c of the timer lever 4 so that the switch lever 7 is urged by the spring 8 to a predetermined position with respect to the timer lever 4 by the abutment of the stem of the T-shape against the bent lug 4c. The force of the spring 8 is so determined that the end 7b of the lever 7 depresses the actuator la of the switch 1 so as to keep the same opened insofar as the timer lever 4 is held in the position as shown in FIG. 4 in which the arm 4b thereof abuts against the timer cam 11 which is not moved to the right by the engagement of the cam section 11a with the recess 14a of the dial 14, whereas the switch lever 7 is swung in the clockwise direction together with the timer lever 4 so as to be disengaged from the actuator la of the switch 1 for closing the same, when the timer cam 11 is moved to the right at the predetermined time set by the dial 14 by the engagement of the cam section 11a with the recess 14a of the dial l4 causing the timer lever 4 to be swung in the clockwise direction by the'action of the spring 6.

In accordance with the characteristic, feature of the present invention, a manuallyoperable switching cam 9 is provided between the arm 4a of the timer lever 4 cam 9 is secured to a shaft which is manually rotated by a select knob (not shown) secured to the shaft 10 so that the switching cam 9can be moved to either of first, second and third positions for selectivelyeffecting the operation of the time switch mechanism either in the automatic mode controlled by the clock mechanism or in the manual mode to be described below.

The switching cam 7 has the profile as shown in FIG. 8. That is, the portion 9a, 9d and 9e are positioned in a circle having a radius R, with the portion 9d being located diametrically opposite to the portion 9a while the portion 9e is located at the angle'of 60 to the left from the portion 9d as shown in FIG. 8.

The portion 9f is located at the center of the side formed between the portions 9a and 92, while the portion 9c is located diametrically opposite to the portion 9f in a circle having the radius R which is tangent to the side formed between the portions 9a and 9e. Thus, the entire contour of the switching cam 9 is formed by connecting the portion 9a to the portion 9b by a straight line, connecting the portion 9b to the portion 90 along the are on the circle having the radius R connecting the portion 9c to the portion 9d by a straight line, connecting the portion 9d to the portion 9e along the arc on the circle having the radius R, and finally connecting the portion 9e to the portion 9a by a straight line to form the previously described side 9a-9e of the switching cam 9.

The size of the radius R, and, hence the size of the radius R of the switching cam 9, and the location of the axis of the shaft 10 which is positioned at the center of the above described circles having the radii R R are so determined that, when the switching cam 9 is in the first position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side 9a-9e is spaced apart from the arm 4a of the timer lever 4 thereby permitting the timer lever 4 to be actuated by the actuation of the timer cam 11 while the side 90-911 is positioned so that it will not prevent the depression of the actuator 1a of the switch 1 by the bent lug 7b of the switch lever 4, although the side 9c-9d contacts with the bent lug 7a of the switch lever 7, insofar as the timer lever 4 is in the position shown in FIG. 4 in which the timer cam 11 is not moved to the right by the engagement of the cam section 1 la with the recess 14a of the dial 14, whereas, when the timer cam 11 is moved to the right by the engagement of the cam section 11a with the recess 14a of the dial 14 at the predetermined time set thereby so as to swing the timer lever 4 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 (this condition being shown in FIG. 5), the switch lever 7 is also swung in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 by the engagement of the bent lug 4c with the stem of the switch lever 7 thereby releasing the bent lug 7b thereof from the actuator 1a of the switch 1 thus closing the same, this being the automatic mode of operation, while, when the switching cam 9 is rotated to the second position shown in FIG. 6, the side 9a-9b of the switching cam 9 contacts with the bent lug 7a of the switch lever 7 but permits the actuator 1a of the switch 1 to be depressed by the bent lug 7b of the switch lever 7 in like manner as shown in FIG. 3 and a portion of the arcuate side 9d-9e abuts against the arm 4a of the timer lever 4 so that the latter is arrested to its position and is prevented from being actuated by the timer cam 11 even though the same is moved to the right as described above thereby blocking the automatic mode of operation of the time switch 6 mechanism, this position being the opening of the switch 1 .in the .manual mode of operation, and, when the switching cam 9 is rotated to the third position shown in FIG. 7, the projected portion 9a of the cam 9 abuts against the bent lug 7a of the switch lever 7 and forces the switch lever 7 to be swung in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 against the action of the spring 8 thereby releasing the bent lug 7b from the actuator 1a so as to close the switch 1 while the timer lever 4 is arrested in the position in which the timer lever 4 is not actuated by the timer cam 11 by the abutment of a portion of the arcuate side 9d-9e against the arm 4a of the timer lever 4 in like manner as shown in FIG. 6; this condition being the closing of the switch 1 in the manual mode of operation. V

The operation of the time switch mechanism in accordance with the present invention is thought clear from the above decription, but will be described briefly hereinbelow.

AUTOMATIC MODE OF OPERATION The switching cam 9 is manually set in its first position shown in FIG. 3 and the time setting dial 14 is manually adjusted for the desired time at which the switch 1 is closed by means of the time scale 14b with reference to the index 16. In this position, the actuator 1a is depressed by the switch lever 7 by the action of the spring 8 and the position of the timer lever 4 determined by theposition of the timer cam 11 which is not moved to the right as previously described so as to keep the switchl opened. When the cam section 11a of the timer cam 11 is engaged with the recess 14a of the dial 14 at the predetermined time set by the dial 14 as the timer cam 11 is rotated by the clock mechanism so that the timer cam 1 1 is moved to the right as shown in FIG. 5, the timer lever 4 and, hence the switch lever 7 are swung in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 by the action of the spring 6, thereby disengaging the bent lug 7b of the switch lever 7 from the actuator la of the switch 1 so as to automatically close the switch 1 at the predetermined time set by the dial 14.

MANUAL MODE OF OPERATION Manual Opening of the Switch The switching cam 9 is manually rotated to its second position shown in FIG. 6. In this position, the timer lever 4 is isolated from the actuation of the timer cam 11 by the abutment of a portion of the arcuate side 9d-9e of the cam 9 against the arm 4a of the timer lever 4, while the side 9a-9b of the switching cam 9 is so positioned that it allows the switch lever 7 to depress the actuator 1a of the switch 1 with the bent lug ,7b thereof, thereby maintaining the switch 1 in its opened state. Manual Closing of the Switch The switching cam 9 is manually rotated to its third position shown in FIG. 7. In this position, timer lever 4 is isolated from the timer cam 11 by the abutment of a portion of the arcuate side 9d-9e of the cam 9 against the arm 4a of the timer lever 4, while the projected portion 9a of the cam 9 forces the bent lug 7a to the right in FIG. 7 so that the switch lever 7 is swung in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 thereby disengaging the bent lug 7b from the actuator 1a of the switch 1, thus closing the switch 1.

As described above, in accordance with the present invention, both the automatic mode of actuation of the switch by means of the clock mechanism and the manual mode of actuation of the switch can be carried out w by a simple time switch mechanism having only a single switch, thereby making the operation accurate and reliable while the production cost is lowered.

Since the switching of the automatic mode to the manual mode and vice versa is carried out by the operation of a single switching cam in accordance with the present invention, failure of the mechanism is positively prevented while smooth operation of the time switch mechanism is insured.

I claim:

1. Time switch mechanism adapted to actuate a switch either automatically by means of a clock mechanism at a manually set, predetermined time or manually at a desired time, wherein the improvement comprises a timer cam actuated by said clock mechanism at a manually set, predetermined time, a timer lever coupled with said timer cam so as to be actuated by the actuation of said timer cam, a switch lever coupled with said timer lever and said switch for actuating said switch by the actuation of said timer lever, and a manually operable switching cam engageable with said timer lever as well as said switch lever by the operation thereof, said switching cam being so configured that, when moved to its first position, it is disengaged from said timer lever as well as said switch lever so as to permit said timer lever to be actuated by said timer cam thereby allowing said switch to be automatically actuated by said clock mechanism through said switch lever and, when moved to its second position, engages and arrests said timer lever so as to prevent the same from being actuated by said timer cam thereby disabling the automatic actuation of said switch by said clock mechanism, while, when moved to its third position, it engages both said timer lever and said switch lever thereby preventing said timer lever from being actuatedby said timer cam for disabling the automatic actuation of said switch by said clock mechanism while it permits said switch to be actuated manually by the actuation of said switch lever to said third position.

2. Time switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said timer cam comprises a disc rotated at a predetermined speed and mounted axially shiftably, said disc having an axially projecting cam section which resiliently abuts against a manually rotatable but axially non-shiftable time setting dial coaxially mounted with said timer cam by the action of a first spring, said dial having a recess formed in a surface thereof facing against said cam section' so as to receive the same therein when they are brought into registered relationship with each other during the rotation of said timer cam thereby permitting said timer cam to be axially shifted by the action of said first spring at a predetermined time manually set by said time setting dial, said timer layer having a first and a second portion, said first portion being adapted to resiliently abut against said timer cam by a second spring so that, when said timer cam is axially shifted, said timer lever is actuated by said second spring, said switch lever being urged to a predetermined position with respect to said timer lever by a third spring so as to be urged against said switch, so that, when said timer lever is actuated, saidswitch lever is disengaged from said switch thereby actuating the same, said manually operable switching cam having a first and a second portion, said first portion being brought into abutting relationship against said second portion of said timer lever when the same is in said second and third positions thereby arresting said timer lever irrespective of the actuation of said timer cam so as to maintain said switch lever urged against said switch while said second portion of said manually operable switching cam is brought into abutting relationship against said switch lever against the action of said third spring when said switching cam is in said third position thereby urging said switch lever apart from said switch thereby permitting the same to be actuated manually. 

1. Time switch mechanism adapted to actuate a switch either automatically by means of a clock mechanism at a manually set, predetermined time or manually at a desired time, wherein the improvement comprises a timer cam actuated by said clock mechanism at a manually set, predetermined time, a timer lever coupled with said timer cam so as to be actuated by the actuation of said timer cam, a switch lever coupled with said timer lever and said switch for actuating said switch by the actuation of said timer lever, and a manually operable switching cam engageable with said timer lever as well as said switch lever by the operation thereof, said switching cam being so configured that, when moved to its first position, it is disengaged from said timer lever as well as said switch lever so as to permit said timer lever to be actuated by said timer cam thereby allowing said switch to be automatically actuated by said clock mechanism through said switch lever and, When moved to its second position, engages and arrests said timer lever so as to prevent the same from being actuated by said timer cam thereby disabling the automatic actuation of said switch by said clock mechanism, while, when moved to its third position, it engages both said timer lever and said switch lever thereby preventing said timer lever from being actuated by said timer cam for disabling the automatic actuation of said switch by said clock mechanism while it permits said switch to be actuated manually by the actuation of said switch lever to said third position.
 2. Time switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said timer cam comprises a disc rotated at a predetermined speed and mounted axially shiftably, said disc having an axially projecting cam section which resiliently abuts against a manually rotatable but axially non-shiftable time setting dial coaxially mounted with said timer cam by the action of a first spring, said dial having a recess formed in a surface thereof facing against said cam section so as to receive the same therein when they are brought into registered relationship with each other during the rotation of said timer cam thereby permitting said timer cam to be axially shifted by the action of said first spring at a predetermined time manually set by said time setting dial, said timer layer having a first and a second portion, said first portion being adapted to resiliently abut against said timer cam by a second spring so that, when said timer cam is axially shifted, said timer lever is actuated by said second spring, said switch lever being urged to a predetermined position with respect to said timer lever by a third spring so as to be urged against said switch, so that, when said timer lever is actuated, said switch lever is disengaged from said switch thereby actuating the same, said manually operable switching cam having a first and a second portion, said first portion being brought into abutting relationship against said second portion of said timer lever when the same is in said second and third positions thereby arresting said timer lever irrespective of the actuation of said timer cam so as to maintain said switch lever urged against said switch while said second portion of said manually operable switching cam is brought into abutting relationship against said switch lever against the action of said third spring when said switching cam is in said third position thereby urging said switch lever apart from said switch thereby permitting the same to be actuated manually. 